Trending Now - Stephen Colbert Takes on Tolkien: Co-writing New LOTR Film

WHO:

Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show

Peter McGee, Colbert's son and screenwriter

Philippa Boyens, veteran screenwriter of the original film trilogy

Peter Jackson, filmmaker and director of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy

Andy Serkis, actor and director, is helming "The Hunt for Gollum."

Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show

Peter McGee, Colbert's son and screenwriter

Philippa Boyens, veteran screenwriter of the original film trilogy

Peter Jackson, filmmaker and director of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy

Andy Serkis, actor and director, is helming "The Hunt for Gollum."

Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show

Peter McGee, Colbert's son and screenwriter

Philippa Boyens, veteran screenwriter of the original film trilogy

Peter Jackson, filmmaker and director of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy

Andy Serkis, actor and director, is helming "The Hunt for Gollum."

Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show

Peter McGee, Colbert's son and screenwriter

Philippa Boyens, veteran screenwriter of the original film trilogy

Peter Jackson, filmmaker and director of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy

Peter Jackson, filmmaker, introduced Colbert as a "very special partner" in a video announcement.

Andy Serkis, actor and director, is helming "The Hunt for Gollum."

Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show

Peter Jackson, filmmaker and director of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy

Philippa Boyens, veteran screenwriter of the original film trilogy

Peter McGee, Colbert's son and screenwriter

Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show

Peter Jackson, filmmaker and director of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy

Philippa Boyens, veteran screenwriter of the original film trilogy

Peter McGee, Colbert's son and screenwriter

Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema, production companies involved

WHAT:

The film's working title is "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past."

The film will adapt six chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring" that were not included in the original film trilogy, specifically from "Three is Company" to "Fog on the Barrow-downs."

Colbert stated, "I thought, 'Oh wait, maybe that could be its own story that could fit into the larger story.'"

The film's synopsis includes a storyline where Sam, Merry, and Pippin retrace their adventure 14 years after Frodo's passing, while Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret.

Colbert mentioned, "I could not be happier to say that they loved it, and so that’s what we’re going to be working on," regarding the development of the story.

Colbert stated, "It took me a few years to scrape my courage into a pile to give you a call," indicating the process of reaching out to Jackson for collaboration.

Colbert and his son, Peter McGee, developed the idea for the film over several years before presenting it to Jackson.

The film's working title is "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past."

The film will adapt six chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring" that were not included in the original film trilogy, specifically from "Three is Company" to "Fog on the Barrow-downs."

Colbert stated, "I thought: ‘Oh, wait, maybe that could be its own story that could fit into the larger story. Could we make something that was completely faithful to the books while also being completely faithful to the movies that you guys had already made?’"

The film's synopsis includes a storyline where Sam, Merry, and Pippin retrace their adventure 14 years after Frodo's passing, while Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret.

The film will adapt six chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring" that were not included in the original film trilogy, specifically from "Three is Company" to "Fog on the Barrow-downs."

Colbert mentioned, "I could not be happier to say that they loved it, and so that’s what we’re going to be working on," regarding the development of the story.

Colbert stated, "I could not be happier to say that they loved it, and so that’s what we’re going to be working on," regarding the development of the story.

The film's synopsis includes a storyline where Sam, Merry, and Pippin retrace their adventure 14 years after Frodo's passing, while Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret.

Colbert mentioned, "It turns out I'm gonna be free starting this summer," indicating his availability for the project.

Colbert stated, "I could not be happier to say that they loved it, and so that’s what we’re going to be working on," regarding the development of the story.

The film's synopsis includes a storyline where Sam's daughter, Elanor, has discovered a long-buried secret and is determined to uncover why the War of the Ring was very nearly lost before it even began.

Colbert mentioned, "I did not think I'd have the time," about finding hours to work on the new movie, but he said, "It turns out I'm gonna be free starting this summer."

Colbert had a cameo appearance in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" in 2013.

Colbert stated, "I could not be happier to say that they loved it, and so that’s what we’re going to be working on," regarding the development of the story.

The film will adapt six chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring" that were not included in the original film trilogy.

The film's working title is "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past."

Colbert mentioned, "It turns out I'm gonna be free starting this summer," indicating his availability for the project.

Colbert is co-writing a new Lord of the Rings movie titled "Shadow of the Past"

The film will adapt six early chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring," specifically from "Three is Company" to "Fog on the Barrow-downs"

The film's synopsis includes a storyline where Sam, Merry, and Pippin retrace their adventure 14 years after Frodo's passing, while Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret

The film is set to follow "The Hunt for Gollum," directed by Andy Serkis, which is expected to be released in December 2027

WHERE:

The announcement was made via social media by Warner Bros. Pictures

WHEN:

The announcement was made on March 25th, 2026, coinciding with Tolkien Reading Day.

The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air on May 21st, 2026.

"The Hunt for Gollum" is expected to be released in December 2027.

The announcement was made on March 25th, 2026, coinciding with Tolkien Reading Day.

The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air on May 21st, 2026.

The announcement was made on March 25th, 2026, coinciding with Tolkien Reading Day.

The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air on May 21st, 2026.

The announcement was made on March 25th, 2026, coinciding with Tolkien Reading Day.

The final episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" will air on May 21st, 2026.

The announcement was made on March 25th, 2026.

The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air on May 21st, 2026.

The announcement was made on March 25th, 2026

The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air on May 21st, 2026

"The Hunt for Gollum" is expected to be released in December 2027

WHY:

CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show in July 2025, citing financial pressure and regulatory concerns over the merger between Paramount and Skydance.

CBS's decision to cancel The Late Show was reportedly influenced by Colbert's criticism of Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes interview.

CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show in July 2025, citing financial pressure and regulatory concerns over the merger between Paramount and Skydance.

CBS's decision to cancel The Late Show was reportedly influenced by Colbert's criticism of Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes interview.

CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show in July 2025, citing financial pressure and regulatory concerns over the merger between Paramount and Skydance.

CBS's decision to cancel The Late Show was reportedly influenced by Colbert's criticism of Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes interview.

CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show in July 2025, citing financial pressure and regulatory concerns over the merger between Paramount and Skydance.

CBS's decision to cancel The Late Show was reportedly influenced by Colbert's criticism of Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes interview.

CBS announced the cancellation of "The Late Show" in July 2025, citing financial pressure and regulatory concerns over the merger between Paramount and Skydance.

CBS's decision to cancel The Late Show was reportedly influenced by Colbert's criticism of Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes interview.

CBS announced the cancellation of "The Late Show" in July 2025, citing financial pressure and regulatory concerns over the merger between Paramount and Skydance.

CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show last year, which was reportedly influenced by Colbert's criticism of Paramount's $16 million settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes interview.

Colbert, a self-proclaimed Tolkien superfan, wanted to create a story that is faithful to both the books and the original films

CBS canceled The Late Show, which prompted Colbert to pursue this new project

HOW:

Colbert stated, "It took me a few years to scrape my courage into a pile to give you a call," indicating the process of reaching out to Jackson for collaboration.

Colbert and his son, Peter McGee, developed the idea for the film over several years before presenting it to Jackson.

Colbert stated, "It took me a few years to scrape my courage into a pile to give you a call," indicating the process of reaching out to Jackson for collaboration.

Colbert and his son, Peter McGee, developed the idea for the film over several years before presenting it to Jackson.

Colbert stated, "It took me a few years to scrape my courage into a pile to give you a call," indicating the process of reaching out to Jackson for collaboration.

Colbert and his son, Peter McGee, developed the idea for the film over several years before presenting it to Jackson.

Colbert and his son, McGee, developed the idea for the film over several years before presenting it to Jackson.

Colbert and his son developed the idea over several years before presenting it to Jackson

Colbert stated, "It took me a few years to scrape my courage into a pile to give you a call," indicating the process of reaching out to Jackson for collaboration

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 17:21 UTC)

On March 25, 2026, which coincided with Tolkien Reading Day, Stephen Colbert announced a new film titled "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past," which will adapt six chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring" that were not included in the original trilogy. The film, developed over several years by Colbert and his son Peter McGee, features a storyline where Sam, Merry, and Pippin retrace their adventure fourteen years after Frodo's passing, while Sam's daughter Elanor uncovers a long-buried secret. Colbert expressed his excitement about the project, stating that he was thrilled to have Peter Jackson on board, and the film is expected to be released in December 2027.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 15:19 UTC)

On March 25, 2026, coinciding with Tolkien Reading Day, Stephen Colbert announced a new film titled "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past," which will adapt six chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring" that were not included in the original trilogy. The film features a storyline where Sam, Merry, and Pippin retrace their adventure fourteen years after Frodo's passing, while Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret, and it brings together notable talents including Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis. Colbert, who has been developing the idea with his son Peter McGee for several years, expressed his excitement about creating a story that remains faithful to both the books and the original films.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 09:16 UTC)

On March 25, 2026, coinciding with Tolkien Reading Day, Stephen Colbert announced a new film project that will adapt six chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring" that were not included in the original trilogy, with a focus on creating a story that honors both the books and the films. Colbert expressed his excitement about the project, stating that Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, and Andy Serkis are all on board, and he felt a sense of relief when they loved the idea. This announcement comes as Colbert prepares for the final episode of The Late Show, which will air on May 21, 2026, following CBS's decision to cancel the show due to financial pressures and regulatory concerns.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 07:18 UTC)

Stephen Colbert announced on March 25 that he will be collaborating with Peter Jackson and veteran screenwriter Philippa Boyens on a new film set in the Lord of the Rings universe, which will feature Sam, Merry, and Pippin retracing their adventures fourteen years after Frodo's passing. Colbert expressed his excitement about the project, stating, "I could not be happier to say that they loved it," and mentioned he will be available starting this summer after the final episode of The Late Show airs on May 21. This announcement comes after CBS decided to cancel The Late Show in July 2025, a move reportedly influenced by Colbert's criticism of a settlement between Paramount and Trump.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 05:31 UTC)

Stephen Colbert announced that he is excited to be working on a new film, which centers around a storyline where Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret about the War of the Ring. He mentioned that he didn't think he would have the time to dedicate to the project, but it turns out he will be free starting this summer. This development comes after CBS canceled "The Late Show" in July 2025, a decision reportedly influenced by Colbert's criticism of Paramount's settlement with Trump.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 03:51 UTC)

On March 25, 2026, filmmaker Peter Jackson introduced Stephen Colbert as a "very special partner" in a video announcement about their new film, "The Hunt for Gollum," which will be directed by Andy Serkis. Colbert, who had a cameo in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" in 2013, expressed his excitement about the project, stating that they loved the story they developed over several years, which will adapt six chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring" that were left out of the original trilogy. This announcement coincides with Tolkien Reading Day and comes just weeks before the final episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," set to air on May 21, 2026, following CBS's decision to cancel the show due to financial pressures and regulatory concerns.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 01:20 UTC)

On March 25, 2026, Stephen Colbert announced a new film project titled "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past," which he developed with his son, Peter McGee, and veteran screenwriter Philippa Boyens, alongside filmmaker Peter Jackson. Colbert expressed his excitement about creating a story that remains faithful to both the original books and the beloved films, mentioning that he will be available to work on it starting this summer. This announcement follows CBS's decision to cancel The Late Show, a move reportedly influenced by Colbert's criticism of a settlement involving Trump.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 00:27 UTC)

Stephen Colbert has announced that he is co-writing a new Lord of the Rings movie titled "Shadow of the Past," alongside filmmaker Peter Jackson and veteran screenwriter Philippa Boyens. The film will adapt six early chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring," focusing on a storyline where Sam, Merry, and Pippin retrace their adventures fourteen years after Frodo's passing, while Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret. This exciting news was shared on March 25, 2026, via social media by Warner Bros. Pictures, and the film is set to follow "The Hunt for Gollum," which is expected to be released in December 2027. Colbert, a self-proclaimed Tolkien superfan, developed the idea over several years with his son before finally reaching out to Jackson, stating it took him some time to gather the courage to make the call. The final episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air on May 21, 2026, marking a significant transition for the host as he embarks on this new project.